False Nails

[PhilHunt]

I tried glue on nails for the first time this weekend.
I am so surprised how they feel like my own nail. Does anyone
know if they make glue on nails especially for guitar
players? The ones I bought at Walgreens were just a standard
French manicure set and feel,look,and play great.

[Norm]

Not likely Phil.

Niche market. Too small and a lot of guys are too worried their male image might be in jeaopardy to even think of buying them.

Guitarists don't have special needs. You could always go to a salon and just tell the girl what you want. Some of the girls have experience making guitar players happy. It's like a barber. You find one who makes you look good and go back to him.

[RonBloor]

Hi Phil... Some discussion in this older thread
http://www.misterguitar.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1631&p=9543&hilit=kiss#p9543
Just doing a google will tell you that lots of folks are flogging their ideas for fake nails.. for playing guitar...
Getting your nails done at a salon is pretty cheap, but then you need to endure the waiting room with all those ladies looking at you and wondering .. I also can't stand the smell of the acrylic goop.. not to mention the health issues.. Anyway, all this has been hashed over in the referenced thread.

[alexjones]

Hey Phil,
For your consideration - I seems as if I tried everything. Ping Pong balls, Kiss Walgreens nails (nice but too soft - they groove quickly) with glue-dots, players nails, alaska picks, freedom picks, natural nails etc. Well I think I have settled on something that I think is nice and VERY durable. I had a pretty bad first time experience with the lady who claimed she did guitarists nails before. It was pretty clear she didn't. So I watched her technique and ventured into doing it myself after a bloody and sore finger. I went in to the local Sally Beauty supply and picked up some Aspire clear acrylic powder, bonding liquid (very smelly), pure acetone and a small paint brush. My idea regarding acrylic is that you should only cover half of your nail (obviously the playing half). I tried explaining that to the lady that did my nails and she still did not follow my directions. She coated my full nail with an acrylic overlay. I like to only do half because the nail has a chance to breath and remain its rigidity. Basically my goal is to apply a very thin coating almost just as a reinforcement. This also helps to keep my nails from hooking severely.

It is very simple - you put a very small amount of the bonding fluid in the cap and dip the brush to get it moist. I usually dab it with a paper towel. Then you just scoop a small amount of the acrylic powder onto the brush and put the blob in the center of the nail. The trick is to put it there and let it sit for a few seconds - you will see it kind of diffuse on your nail. After this happens - you brush downward to apply a thin layer over your nail. It's really pretty fool proof. Plus if you don't like it - just remove it with acetone. You can even get forms to extend the length of your nails if you want.

I must say they are pretty rigid that's for sure. I have yet to break a nail. Actually when I really slam my finger it just breaks the acrylic. I can't say I have been doing this for years - but it has been working for me for the past 3-4 months. It's an idea for you. It works really well for me because as I said it prevents the nail from hooking. It acts just like a layer of reinforcement. Just thought I would share my experience. Take care!
Alex

[Simon W]

I had a lesson with Michael Chapdelaine who uses acrylic and he said he uses a dremel tool to shape the ends. I bought one but it's not so easy so I just file and buff etc. with a colored multi-surface file from the drug store. I have had R.H. acrylics for almost 2 years form the local Vietnamese nail store people - very nice folks- and I do like them except I have to work at keeping the ends thin or I can't tremolo very well. - I notice it's hard to pick up a flat pick up off the floor with my right hand compared to my left. Wish it was easy to keep them thin. I tried Ricoh nails too and thought they were good - but too much work! I think I will watch the James Taylor video on acrylic nails - I hear there's one on you tube.
Best to you all - Simon

[John Trahan]

Here's a link to the James Taylor nails video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqISqpMRo8

He also says not to cover the whole nail just half or the end of the nail.

[alexjones]

I don't put on anywhere close to enough acrylic to justify using a dremel. It would burn right through. I know they just cake on acrylic when I had it done "professionally". Not for me...
Alex

[Augie Peters]

Hi Phil,I've been using acrylic nails for over five years.I love them.I play both steel string and nylon.I like having the option of using a thumbpick or the thumb nail depending on the song and the guitar.The nails have a great attack and add some extra volume.Especially with the nylon strings.It would be hard to go back to playing without them.I get them done locally in the mall.Three fingers and the thumb.First time will be about $18.00 Fills are about $10-$12 every 6-8 weeks.You can experiment with length and shaping yourself.Burt Reynolds once said that he "Tried everything twice"Just in case he didn't like it the first time.Have fun................Augie